Medical School Admissions: Apply Early

Because getting into medical school continues to get harder each year, the submission of a strong medical school application is critical. Following a timeline and getting your materials in early can assist you in improving your candidacy and thus, your chances of success.

Some medical schools use a rolling admissions process. These institutions will let applicants know about admissions decisions fairly soon after interviewing. Others – like Harvard Medical School – make final admissions decisions at the conclusion of interviews.

For schools that have rolling admissions, getting your AMCAS and medical school personal statement in early is essential. Remember: Those applicants who interview earlier can get accepted earlier too. AMCAS® opens in May and materials can be submitted in early June. I recommend submitting your written materials as early as possible, while maintaining quality. You should also move quickly on secondary essays and interview requests. Invitations for interviews warrant a quick response for two reasons: First, you want to demonstrate your appreciation and responsibility. Second, the faster you respond the more likely you are to procure a time slot that works best for you. With early planning, I have had seen applicants admitted by the fall. What a relief to know you are in medical school before the winter arrives!

Getting your application in in a timely fashion can distinguish your candidacy. But it’s important to have quality written materials too. Consider working with a professional to get medical school admissions help. Because applicants can unknowingly undermine their chances of success with poorly compiled application materials and underdeveloped AMCAS, a qualified, personalized medical school admissions consultant provides a great advantage.

Medical school admissions consulting companies come in a variety of forms. Some are bigger businesses that focus on admissions to several types of graduate programs – not just medicine. Others are smaller and provide a medical focus, but have a pool of consultants of varying quality. Finally, elite companies offer both the medical focus and a highly experienced consultant who works one-on-one with clients. These professionals are ex-admissions officers from highly respected medical institutions. They have the inside knowledge of how medical school admissions work, providing individualized guidance to optimize applicants’ personal essays, AMCAS and interview skills.

When choosing a medical school admissions consulting company, a candidate should verify the company’s references and research its consultants. It is best if the company does not assign written materials to outside editors who cannot be evaluated. Elite companies that offer both the medical focus and a highly experienced consultant who works one-on-one with clients offer a large advantage in providing medical school admissions help, especially during these competitive times.

Dr. Michelle Finkel, a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School, founded Insider Medical Admissions as a way of leveling the playing field for applicants to selective medical programs. As the former Assistant Residency Director for the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Dr. Finkel repeatedly observed candidates who undermined their chances of success with poorly compiled application materials, underdeveloped personal statements and inadequate interview skills.

About Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr.Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital. She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes.
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